Words can sometimes appear to be nothing more than words. Sometimes our choice of words doesn't reveal the true value of those words and the tongue that the Bible so often speaks about. We are told over and over again by scripture that there is power in what we say and how we say them.
On the topic of swear words, is it always wrong to use them? I hope it's clear to us all that it's not.
But have you ever dug down deep and found out why swearing does us no good? I've heard excuses like "it's just an expression" or "It just slips out, but I don't really mean it."
It's not really just about the words that we say. It's much deeper than that.
Ephesians 4:29 tells us, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
The danger that lies behind swear words is the heart that it leaps out from. Generally a swear word is spoken in contempt towards something or someone and is often in a form of cursing a person or circumstance. God commands us to let only blessing come out of our mouth.
But what about the times we cuss out of habit and not necessarily out of contempt? Sometimes the words we say can bring contempt even when we don't mean to at all. The way we speak about people or the times we make sexual or racial innuendos can be offensive and destructive even when we don't mean it to be.
It's not so much just the words that you use but the way we speak them. That means that there's really no difference between calling your child "stupid" or dropping the "F" word at him. When the heart breeds contempt, it most likely seeks to destroy.
Proverbs 21:23 tells us, "Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity."
I know that taming the tongue can be tough. Don't take me as a legalistic Pharisee who highlights the sins of others. I don't swear, but I can show contempt in my speech at times when I make hurtful remarks towards people or groups, too. But I know it's not an excuse.
The tongue can be hard to control at times, but the Holy Spirit remains faithful in helping us walk the talk (or in this case talk the walk). Luke 12:12 says, "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
God rules our speech if we allow Him to. Slowly and progressively, our mouths will be used to bring honour and praise towards others more and more and bring curses to others less and less.
